Five Things to Avoid When Writing Your PhD Dissertation

You will never work on an academic project that is more critical than your PhD dissertation (unless of course you intend to work towards a second doctorate degree!). The rules of writing and formatting are more important than ever, as one simple mistake can lead to rejection, revisions, or even beginning the process all over again.

Although many programmes clearly spell out what is required when it comes to writing a PhD thesis, it is equally important to pay attention to some of the more costly mistakes that cause problems for the PhD student.

The following are some things to avoid at all costs in order to remain on task when writing your PhD dissertation:

Formatting Mistakes

Formatting is one of the more simple aspects of writing a dissertation, due to the helpful templates and guides that are available to PhD students. Avoid deviating from the suggested structure, and do not attempt to think outside of the box when it comes to formatting: you will have plenty of time to demonstrate your creativity and wealth of knowledge with the content of your thesis.

Careless Errors

No PhD student should ever allow careless or sloppy errors to creep into his or her dissertation. This is simply not going to be tolerated when it reaches the review committee. It may show that you did not care enough to carefully edit the paper, which can demonstrate a lack of seriousness about your doctoral degree. Take the time to scrutinise every aspect of your thesis. You may also wish to hire an editor to proofread your work and further reduce the likelihood of errors.

Flaws in Documentation

Failing to document your sources correctly can be a fatal flaw, because you can very easily be accused of plagiarising portions of your dissertation. Every source you use must be documented properly, according to the specifications required by your programme. You must ensure that you have accurately cited all of your resources, and should also check your index documentation as well.

Unprofessional Language

When you are writing your dissertation – and during the subsequent PhD viva – your tone and language must be professional and scholarly. Do not make the mistake of using casual language that you would use in everyday life. This is the project that is going to determine whether or not you receive your degree. It is also the key to your professional future. Think carefully when choosing your language and understand that the result is going to represent you for years to come.

Including Opinions

Although you have spent years studying and doing research in your field, you are not yet considered an expert until you have obtained your doctorate degree. Therefore, any opinions that you may have do not belong in your PhD dissertation unless you have unequivocal evidence to support them. The review committee will not care to hear your opinions unless you can back them up.

When writing a PhD thesis, it is important to take every step necessary to ensure that the end product is your very best work. It may be wise to utilise expert dissertation writing services or find similar assistance to ensure you are not making any critical errors.